Heart of Hill Country Marathon: Fall Challenge Race Information

<div style="font-family:&#39;-apple-system&#39; , &#39;blinkmacsystemfont&#39; , &#39;segoe ui&#39; , &#39;roboto&#39; , &#39;oxygen&#39; , &#39;ubuntu&#39; , sans-serif;max-width:900px;margin:0 auto;color:#333"> <div style="background:linear-gradient( rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5 ) , rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5 ) ) ,;background-position:center;padding:60px 30px;text-align:center;color:white;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:30px"> <h1 style="font-size:2.5rem;margin:0 0 15px 0;text-shadow:2px 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5 )"><span style="color:rgb( 52 , 73 , 94 )">BALCONES CANYONLANDS HIKING CHALLENGE</span></h1> <h2 style="font-size:1.5rem;font-weight:400;margin:0 0 30px 0;text-shadow:1px 1px 3px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5 )"><span style="color:rgb( 52 , 73 , 94 )">Explore the Scenic Trails of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge</span></h2> <div style="margin-bottom:20px"> <div style="background-color:#2e8b57;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:50px;font-weight:bold;font-size:0.9rem">ULTRA MARATHON</div> <div style="background-color:#3cb371;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:50px;font-weight:bold;font-size:0.9rem">MARATHON</div> <div style="background-color:#66cdaa;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:50px;font-weight:bold;font-size:0.9rem">HALF MARATHON</div> <div style="background-color:#8fbc8f;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:50px;font-weight:bold;font-size:0.9rem">10K CHALLENGE</div> <div style="background-color:#a0522d;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:50px;font-weight:bold;font-size:0.9rem">RUCKING DIVISION</div> </div> <p style="font-size:1.2rem;max-width:700px;margin:0 auto 20px auto;line-height:1.5">October 1-30, 2025 | Complete Your Challenge at Your Own Pace</p> <p style="font-size:1rem;max-width:700px;margin:0 auto;line-height:1.5;font-style:italic">Proceeds support local charities</p> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:30px;padding:0 20px"> <div> <h2 style="color:#2e8b57;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px">YOUR 30-DAY HIKING ADVENTURE</h2> <p style="line-height:1.6;margin:0">Challenge yourself to complete a hiking marathon distance over 30 days on the scenic trails of Balcones Canyonlands! Choose your adventure: 26.2 miles (Full Marathon), 100 miles or 100K (Ultra Marathon), 13.1 miles (Half Marathon), or 6.2 miles (10K Challenge). Hike at your own pace or add weight with our Rucking Division. Register soon as places are limited.</p> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:40px;background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;padding:30px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.05 )"> <h2 style="text-align:center;font-size:1.8rem;margin-bottom:25px;color:#333">EVENT TIMELINE</h2> <div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px;color:#2e8b57">&#x1f3c1;</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Kickoff Event</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5">Sunday, October 5, 2025</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px;color:#2e8b57">&#x1f97e;</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Challenge Period</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5">October 1-30, 2025</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px;color:#2e8b57">&#x1f389;</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Completion Celebration</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5">October 31, 2025</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:40px"> <h2 style="text-align:center;font-size:1.8rem;margin-bottom:25px;color:#333;border-bottom:3px solid #2e8b57;padding-bottom:10px;display:inline-block">DIVISIONS &amp; DISTANCES</h2> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;padding:25px;margin-bottom:30px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <h3 style="color:#2e8b57;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:20px">Standard Hiking Division</h3> <div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #2e8b57"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#2e8b57">Ultra Marathon</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">100 miles or 100K</p> <p style="margin-bottom:10px">$65 early bird<br />$75 regular</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #3cb371"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#3cb371">Marathon</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">26.2 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:10px">$45 early bird<br />$55 regular</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #66cdaa"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#66cdaa">Half Marathon</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">13.1 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:10px">$35 early bird<br />$45 regular</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #8fbc8f"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#8fbc8f">10K Challenge</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">6.2 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:10px">$25 early bird<br />$35 regular</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:30px"> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="background-color:#2e8b57;padding:15px;color:white;text-align:center"> <h3 style="margin:0;font-size:1.3rem"><span style="color:rgb( 255 , 255 , 255 )">GUIDED 4-DAY GROUP HIKE - 100 MILES</span></h3> </div> <div style="padding:20px"> <ul style="margin:0;padding:0 0 0 20px;line-height:1.6"><li>Professional guide leads you through all 100 miles</li><li>Structured 4-day itinerary (October 1-4, 2025)</li><li>Daily support and trail strategy</li><li>Group experience with fellow ultra hikers</li><li>Coordinated sunrise-to-sunset hiking</li><li><strong>Limited to 20 participants</strong></li></ul> </div> </div> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="background-color:#2e8b57;padding:15px;color:white;text-align:center"> <h3 style="margin:0;font-size:1.3rem">SOLO 30-DAY CHALLENGE</h3> </div> <div style="padding:20px"> <ul style="margin:0 0 15px 0;padding:0 0 0 20px;line-height:1.6"><li>100 Mile Ultra (160.9K)</li><li>100K Ultra (62.1 miles)</li><li>Complete at your own pace within 30 days</li><li>Mix and match trails</li><li>Track via Strava</li><li>Sunrise to sunset access</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;padding:25px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <h3 style="color:#a0522d;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:20px">Rucking Division (includes special Ash Juniper cookie or coin)</h3> <div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #a0522d"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#a0522d">Marathon Ruck</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">26.2 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:5px">$45 early bird<br />$55 regular</p> <p style="font-style:italic;margin-bottom:0;font-size:0.9rem">20lb minimum pack</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #a0522d"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#a0522d">Half Marathon Ruck</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">13.1 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:5px">$35 early bird<br />$45 regular</p> <p style="font-style:italic;margin-bottom:0;font-size:0.9rem">15lb minimum pack</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 );border-top:4px solid #a0522d"> <h4 style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;color:#a0522d">10K Ruck Challenge</h4> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.1rem;margin-bottom:5px">6.2 miles</p> <p style="margin-bottom:5px">$25 early bird<br />$35 regular</p> <p style="font-style:italic;margin-bottom:0;font-size:0.9rem">10lb minimum pack</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:40px;background:linear-gradient( rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.7 ) , rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.7 ) ) , center / cover no-repeat;border-radius:8px;padding:40px;color:white"> <h2 style="text-align:center;font-size:1.8rem;margin-bottom:25px">REGISTRATION INCLUDES</h2> <div> <div style="background:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.1 );padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px">&#x1f5fa;️</div> <h3 style="margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Digital Trail Guide</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;color:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8 )">Comprehensive guide to all trails</p> </div> <div style="background:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.1 );padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px">&#x1f4f1;</div> <h3 style="margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Strava Club Access</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;color:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8 )">Track &amp; share your progress</p> </div> <div style="background:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.1 );padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px">&#x1f3c6;</div> <h3 style="margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Completion Certificate</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;color:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8 )">Digital recognition of achievement</p> </div> <div style="background:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.1 );padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px">&#x1f36a;</div> <h3 style="margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Ash Juniper Cookie/Coin</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;color:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8 )">Distance-specific completion award</p> </div> <div style="background:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.1 );padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center"> <div style="font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:10px">&#x1f463;</div> <h3 style="margin-top:0;font-size:1.2rem">Kickoff Day Guided Hikes</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;color:rgba( 255 , 255 , 255 , 0.8 )">Optional orientation hikes</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:40px"> <h2 style="text-align:center;font-size:1.8rem;margin-bottom:25px;color:#333;border-bottom:3px solid #2e8b57;padding-bottom:10px;display:inline-block">FEATURED TRAILS</h2> <div> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="padding:20px"> <h3 style="margin-top:0;color:#2e8b57">Doeskin Ranch</h3> <p style="line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:10px">Explore diverse habitats including grasslands, woodlands, and creek-side trails that showcase the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.6;font-weight:bold">10645 FM 1174 Bertram, TX</p> </div> </div> <div style="background-color:#f8f9fa;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="padding:20px"> <h3 style="margin-top:0;color:#2e8b57">Warbler Vista</h3> <p style="line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:10px">Enjoy panoramic vistas of Lake Travis and rolling hills while hiking through prime bird habitat known for its spectacular seasonal warbler migrations.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.6;font-weight:bold">21646 ½ E. FM 1431, Lago Vista, TX</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:40px;background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:30px;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.05 )"> <h2 style="text-align:center;font-size:1.8rem;margin-bottom:25px;color:#333">HOW IT WORKS</h2> <div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="width:40px;height:40px;background-color:#2e8b57;border-radius:50%;color:white;font-weight:bold;margin:0 auto 15px auto">1</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.1rem">Register</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;font-size:0.9rem">Choose your distance and division</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="width:40px;height:40px;background-color:#2e8b57;border-radius:50%;color:white;font-weight:bold;margin:0 auto 15px auto">2</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.1rem">Attend Kickoff</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;font-size:0.9rem">Optional but recommended guided orientation</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="width:40px;height:40px;background-color:#2e8b57;border-radius:50%;color:white;font-weight:bold;margin:0 auto 15px auto">3</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.1rem">Complete Miles</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;font-size:0.9rem">Hike between October 1-30</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="width:40px;height:40px;background-color:#2e8b57;border-radius:50%;color:white;font-weight:bold;margin:0 auto 15px auto">4</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.1rem">Track Hikes</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;font-size:0.9rem">Use Strava to log your progress</p> </div> <div style="background:white;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.1 )"> <div style="width:40px;height:40px;background-color:#2e8b57;border-radius:50%;color:white;font-weight:bold;margin:0 auto 15px auto">5</div> <h3 style="color:#333;margin-top:0;font-size:1.1rem">Celebrate</h3> <p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:1.5;font-size:0.9rem">Join our Oct 31 event to receive awards</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>